3^rd album from Suffolk recorder-maestro Finn Collinson.  Byway takes us on an inspirational journey around the UK with a collection of original and traditional melodies which showcase Finn’s distinctive recorder prowess

RECORDER PLAYING TO TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY…

If your impression of recorder playing is shaped by memories of school children unsuccessfully trying to tackle the complexities of Three Blind Mice, then here’s the perfect opportunity to reset that preconception.  Suffolk-based Finn Collinson is a recorder maestro and his playing will literally take your breath away.

Byway is Finn’s 3^rd album and it’s his first all-instrumental offering.  I suppose that it’s loosely what you might call a concept album; an inspirational journey around the UK, told through a well-considered collection of original and traditional melodies.  The album’s journey takes Finn from his home in Suffolk to Devon, Somerset, Wales, Cumbria, the Scottish Highlands and even over the sea to Scandinavia.  Played on a range of handmade recorders, these tunes are evocative and atmospheric and it’s no exaggeration to suggest that, with such capable hands, Finn Collinson redefines the place of the recorder in English folk music.

Finn is joined by guitarist Archie Churchill-Moss and bodhran player Evan Carson and, aside from a few space-filling contributions from producer Jim Moray, that’s all the support his fluent playing needs.  As I’ve already suggested – after one single listen to Byway, you’ll never look at a recorder the same way again.

FLIGHTS OF RECORDER FANCY

It’s lead single, Tara, that gets Byway up and running.  Inspired by “…a much-missed four-legged friend who was at her happiest when bounding over the dunes and beaches on North Devon,” it’s a beautiful, life-affirming tune, with roots solidly planted in the Celtic tradition.  I was instantly charmed by the way that the three musicians mesh together, with Evan’s bodhran providing the depth and Archie’s guitar bringing a warm, summery, feel to proceedings.

Named after Finn’s favourite road sign on the drive between Norwich and Ipswich, Byway to Foxhole is a rousing hornpipe that springs forth from Archie’s ponderous guitar intro.  The sense of lightness in the tune is accentuated by Evan’s pattering rhythm and there’s an unrestrained joy to Finn’s flights of recorder fancy.  And it’s Archie’s guitar that also introduces As Sweet as a Pink, a pair of traditional Cumbrian tunes.  The first of the tunes, Allonby Lasses, oozes melancholy but that feeling is a temporary one and the mood soon switches from sorrow to springtime hope.

A TEST OF CIRCULAR BREATHING

Hare of Twenty, another pair of tunes – this time from Finn’s own imagination – take their inspiration from a piece of Welsh folklore.  The tunes are jigs and they’re simply stunning, as they test Finn’s circular breathing skills to the absolute limit.  Almost four minutes without an audible breath being taken!  Evan and Archie maintain their drive for this one, but Finn tackles Tune for the Linnet entirely alone.  It’s a traditional tune, taken from the 18^th Century music manual, The Bird Fancyers Delight and it’s utterly engaging; Finn’s solo recorder is all that’s needed here.

Over the years, Finn’s family have been regular visitors to the derelict chapel of Inverberg, on the shore of Loch Morar in the Scottish Highlands.  And Finn’s tune, Inverberg is entirely evocative of the setting that inspired it.  Archie’s restrained guitar provides a subtle accompaniment to Finn’s silky recorder and, once again, Evan’s bodhran hits the spot.  It’s a sumptuous tune that invites the listener to lie back and dream.

Bicknoller Hill is a tune that entered Finn’s head following a long walk that he took in Somerset’s Quantock Hills.  Strummed guitar and a pulsing bodhran rhythm provide the ‘in’ to one of the album’s more dramatic pieces.  Producer Jim Moray’s bass adds a flavour of Eastern Europe, as guitar, bodhran and recorder all pick up pace and intensity.

ACROSS THE SEA TO SWEDEN

Every ounce of the heartbreak that is a central feature of the Scottish ballad, Colin’s Complaint, is retained for The Complaint, Finn’s adaptation of the song.  No words are necessary – the sentiment is embodied in the tones of Finn’s recorder, whilst Archie and Evan keep up a punchy rhythm.

And, to wind up a splendid album, Slängpolska is another pair of tunes that have been subjected to a Collinson reinterpretation.  Winyadepla, the first of the pair, is a reel by Shetland fiddler Gibbie Laurenson and the second tune is a traditional piece from the Skåne region of Southern Sweden.  Winyadepla is one of those delightful Scottish tunes that seems to offer hope and comfort in every note and Finn and Archie work wonderfully together to get the message over.  Evan’s bodhran arrives just in time to crank things up as we cross the North Sea and we’re left feeling of thoroughly invigorated. 

Finn Collison and the band will be launching Byway at a special show at the Eastern Angles Centre in Ipswich on 20^th February.  Why not pop along and see for yourself just what one man and his recorder are capable of?

Watch the official video to Tara – the album’s opening track and its lead siongle – below:

Finn Collinson: Official Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / X  / Instagram